Planning to visit San Sebastian? – Here’s an ultimate guide on spending one day in San Sebastian, with many unique things to see and do in the city in 1 single day.
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An Epic One Day in San Sebastian (with a map)
Why I love San Sebastian
San Sebastian is one of the most stunning places in Northern Spain and one of my favorite destinations on the Iberian Peninsula. My first visits to San Sebastian took place back in 2011 when the city had completely stolen my heart. Even though it was in June, during the summer peak season, back then San Sebastian sort of felt like a hidden gem and one of the most underrated Spanish cities. Well, not anymore. A few years ago on a new Basque Country Road Trip, I visited San Sebastian once again to discover that now it has become quite popular for international travelers.
There´s a reason for that: San Sebastian is unapologetically beautiful. I often call it one of the top destinations for Romantic getaways in Spain, but the truth is that I enjoy visiting San Sebastian solo or on a family trip in Spain as well. San Sebastian is one of the must-stops on any Northern Spain Road Trip.
Where is San Sebastian
San Sebastian is located on the Northern coast of Spain, only 20km away from the French border. It is one of the main cities of The Basque Country (or Pais Vasco in Spanish).
- Full-colour maps and travel photography throughout
- Highlightsand itineraries help you tailor a trip to your personal needs and interests
- Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots
- Essential infoat your fingertips - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices
- Honest reviews for all budgets - eating, sightseeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss
- Convenient pull-out Bilbao and San Sebastianmap (included in print version), plus over 15 colour neighbourhood maps
- User-friendly layout with helpful icons, and organised by neighbourhood to help you pick the best spots to spend your time
What is San Sebastian known for
San Sebastian has been a popular upper-class destination in Spain. Especially after the Spanish Queen Isabella II visited in on a summer vacation to escape the heat of Madrid. The most picture-perfect place in San Sebastian, La Concha Beach. The area is full of unique seafront villas showing off the town’s wealthy past. The Spanish royals also used to spend their summers at Palacio de Miramar in San Sebastian.
While The Basque Country is one of the best dining destinations in the world (with 40 Michelin-starred restaurants over only 21,000 square km), the coastal town of San Sebastian is especially known for its pintxo culture. Pintxos are diverse mini-bites laid out in front of you in Spanish bars (especially popular in the Northern regions). Also, every September the city of San Sebastian houses one of the most important International Film Festivals in Spain – Festival Internacional de Cine de San Sebastián.
San Sebastian is also mentioned in the end of Ernest Hemingway´s novel Fiesta (or The Sun Also Rises in English), when one of the protagonists enjoys a solo trip to San Sebastian after being tired of the festive lifestyle during San Fermin, one of the most iconic Spanish fiestas.
How to get to San Sebastian
The easiest way to get to San Sebastian is to find a flight to Bilbao (Spain) or Biarritz (France). Additionally, you can reach San Sebastian by car from Madrid (4,5 hours) and Barcelona (6 hours). Another alternative is the train (from any major Spanish city , usually via Madrid).
How long to stay in San Sebastian
One day in San Sebastian is enough to get a first impression of the city, but if you add a few day trips to your sightseeing plan, it´s easy to spend 3-4 days in San Sebastian.
The weather in San Sebastian
Let me warn you that despite the sunny vibe of my pictures, San Sebastian is known as the rainy destination in Spain. You have a higher chance of catching a sunny day in summer, but it is not granted either. Over the last few years, I have experienced a bit of everything in San Sebastian and always bring with me an umbrella and extra layers.
Where to stay in San Sebastian
San Sebastian is full of unique hotels with beautiful views. One of the most iconic luxury places is Hotel Londres, known for its belle epoque architecture and unmatched seafront location.
Parking in San Sebastian
San Sebastian is known for some of the most expensive parking in Spain. I often leave my car at Donostiako Geltokiko Parkina, if it´s for a few hours. The only free option in San Sebastian is Doako Aparkalekua (near Donostia Arena), where you can take bus number 28 to the city center. It is a great option for those traveling on a budget (especially since the bus ride is only 20 and it usually arrives every 7 mins). I would not leave my car at Doako Aparkalekua for several days, but I use it often for spending one day in Sebastian.
San Sebastian Local Tips
If you are planning to turn your one day in San Sebastian into an unforgettable travel experience, hiring a private local guide is the best way to tailor any tour to your needs and tastes. I can recommend Aitor Delgado Tours, whom I have recently met in San Sebastian (check out his reviews on TripAdvisor). Also, here’s a handy sightseeing map of San Sebastian, curated by the local travel creator @eloisapatat.
Walking Route Map of San Sebastian
You can check out and easily follow my 1-day San Sebastian itinerary via Google maps here.
Top things to see and do during one day in San Sebastian
1. La Concha Beach of San Sebastian
The Beach of La Concha is one of the most recognized places in Northern Spain, that has been a popular upper-class coastal destination in Spain for centuries. I am honestly never tired of enjoying a casual walk along La Concha every time I get to visit San Sebastian, even though the beach is usually packed with locals and visitors on sunny summer days.
La Concha Beach is often called one of the most unique beaches in Northern Spain and one of the top urban beaches in the whole of Europe. At the end of La Concha broadwalk, you can also spot the famous local sculpture of Eduardo Chillida – “The Comb of the Wind” (or “El Peine del Viento” in Spanish).
2. A Foodie Tour to Discover the Best Pintxos in San Sebastian
The foodie experiences in San Sebastian mainly roll around the famous pintxos (diverse mini-bites all laid out in front of you in most of the local bars). Every year an official competition Euskal Herria Pintxo Championship takes place, where bars and restaurants of San Sebastian pitch themselves against each other to make the yummiest creations.
I´d recommend you take a pintxo tour or at least research the recent winners to make the most of your foodie experience in San Sebastian. Although it´s almost impossible to choose a bad place to dine since everything everywhere is delicious. You can spend a whole evening pintxo-hopping from bar to bar. Pay attention to the walls, they usually display certificates from past pintxo competitions so you´ll know exactly what to order. Also, San Sebastian is a great destination for Michelin-star dining in Spain with top-rated restaurants like Kokotxa, Mirador de Ulia, Arzak, and Akelarre.
Top-rated food tours in San Sebastian:
- The Ultimate Pintxos and Wine Tour (check availability)
- Guided Food Tour with Pintxo Tasting & Wines (check availability)
- Market, Pintxos and Wine Tasting Tour (check availability)
- Authentic Basque Cooking Class (check availability)
- San Sebastian: Guided Walking Tour with Pintxo and Drink (check availability)
- Traditional Basque Cider House Tour from San Sebastian (check availability)
- La Rioja Wineries Tour From San Sebastian (check availability)
- Rioja Wine Tour – Full Day Private Tour from San Sebastian (check availability)
- Idiazabal cheese tour from San Sebastian (check availability)
- Flavors of French Basque Country Tour (check availability)
Best places to try Pintxos in San Sebastian:
Here are a few must-visit places to try pintxos in San Sebastian: Atari, Txepetxa, La Cerveceria del Antiguo, Gandarias Jatetxea, La Vina, and Sirimiri. However, I highly recommend joining a pintxos tour, since bars constantly create new gastronomic inventions and local guides will take you to all the best spots in town.
3. The Old Town of San Sebastian
While exploring San Sebastian, make sure not to miss the central square Plaza de Constitucion, which years ago was used as a bullring. Today it houses some of the most important local festivities like tamborrada or Saint Tomas feast. At this main square, you can find the San Telmo Museum dedicated to the history of the Basque Region.
During your one day in San Sebastian, you can also make a stop at the church Basilica of Santa Maria del Coro and the local market Mercado de la Bretxa.
Alternatively, you can book one of the popular walking tours in San Sebastian:
- San Sebastian: City Highlights Guided Walking Tour (check availability)
- San Sebastián: Cultural Walking Tour (check availability)
- Private Walking Historic & Cultural Tour (check availability)
4. A Boat Tour of the Basque Coast
One of the most unique things about the Basque Country is its stunning coast. Therefore, if you get lucky with the weather during your one day in San Sebastian, consider taking a boat tour to enjoy the Atlantic cliffs.
- Boat Tour with Stop at Santa Clara (check availability)
- Kantauri 2 Bays, Hills, and Pasaia Tour (check availability)
5. Hiking & biking in San Sebastian and its surroundings
If you are visiting Spain in search of active and adventurous activities, San Sebastian is a great place for hiking and bike tours.
- From San Sebastian: Guided Coastal Hike with Winery Visit (check availability)
- Hike From San Sebastian To San Pedro Across St James Way (check availability)
- Small Group Bike Tour (check availability)
- Guided E-Bike Tour (check availability)
6. Best views of San Sebastian
For the best panoramic views of San Sebastián, head to the top of Monte Igeldo (182m), Monte Urgull (123m), or Monte Ulia (234m). The first two are located on opposite sides of La Concha beach. Monte Igeldo is the easiest option, as it has a funicular railway service. However, my personal favorite is Monte Urgull. If you have more than one day and are planning a 3 Day San Sebastian Vacation, it’s possible to visit all the viewpoints.
7. San Sebastian Day Trips
If you are thinking of spending more than one day in San Sebastian, it´s easy to explore the nearest landmarks via day trips:
- Oñati and Aranzazu Sanctuary tour (check availability)
- Biarritz and Bayonne Minibus Tour (check availability)
- Gaztelugatxe and Guggenheim Museum Tour (check availability)
- Sanctuary of Lourdes Private Day Trip (check availability)
- Hondarribia Sightseeing and Pintxos (check availability)
- Tandem Paragliding Flight over Donostia-San Sebastian (check availability)
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For more Spain travel tips check out my Pinterest board Spain Travel Collection and Flipboard Travel to Spain.
- Accommodation: For short stays, I usually book via Agoda, Booking, and Hotellook
- Tours&excursions: My favorites for guided tours are GetYourGuide and Viator
- Museums&attractions: Get mobile tickets for attractions via Tiqets (use ATC5 code for a 5% discount via this link)
- Semi-private & private tours: LivTours is my favorite place for unique & crafted experiences in Europe
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- Train&bus tickets: Currently, I book via Trainline, Busbud, and Omio
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- Internet Security on the road: Connect safely to public Wi-Fi and bypass censorship with NordVPN
- Transfers: For individual transfer services, I like GetTransfer and Kiwitaxi
- Suitcases&Luggage: Discover where to store your luggage on the go with Radical Storage
- Travel Insurance: Find the best trip insurance plans via VisitorsCoverage and EKTA
- Compensation for delayed/canceled flights: Check out AirHelp and Compensair
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Oooh San Sebastian really is stunning isn’t it! I love the look of the beaches and those spectacular cliffs! I also really like the sound of the food tour to find the best Pintxos in San Sebastian!
Great posttt! I´m actualy spanish but have never visitied San Sebastian. It has been on my travel bucket list for forever though!. If you ever come to Valencia, let me know!
When I visited San Sebastian, I was immediately swept up in a free city tour. The city is lovely and the tour took us to some great tapas places (including some that received Michelin stars). I would definitely go back here.
I took a day trip to Basque Country and definitely want to return. This is a perfect one-day itinerary to explore San Sebastián.